How to get to DMZ and back for under 20,000 won

A usual DMZ tour costs around USD$80. Here’s a simple way to travel on your own without the heavy cost.

The Demilitarized Zone is a popular tourist destination in South Korea. It marks the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea, with a heavily guarded fortification line on both sides.

One of the more popular spots open to the public is at Imjingak, which is North of Seoul and located towards the North-West of Korea. Credits to my friend Tae-Rim, who provided directions to reach the destination.

What you need

• T-money card (cash card for transport)
• Passport (for purchasing tickets)
• Spare cash
• Proper walking shoes

#1 Take a subway from Seoul to Munsan station

If you have traveled by the Seoul subway, you would probably have with you a T-money card. For those clueless what a T-money card is, it is a transit cash card that pays for your rides on the bus or subway across Korea. You will then need to take the subway.

You will then need to take a train from Seoul station (서울 역) to Munsan station (문산역). This should take about 1 1/4 hours and cost 2,050 won. It’s as shown below here:

The route from Seoul station to Munsan station here: http://map.naver.com/?menu=route&mapMode=0&lat=37.677959&lng=126.9425962&dlevel=6&slng=126.9706856&slat=37.5545373&eslng=126.9719294&eslat=37.5552009&sdid=11630456&elng=126.7874788&elat=37.8544368&edid=13479771&pathType=1&dtPathType=0&sText=7ISc7Jq47JetIOqyveu2gOyEoA%3D%3D&eText=66y47IKw7JetIOqyveydmOykkeyVmeyEoA%3D%3D&enc=b64

#2 Take a rural bus from Munsan station to Imjingak station

This is how a public bus ride looks from Munsan to Imjingak.

Next, take a bus number 058 from Munsan station to Imjingak station (임진각 역). This will take 45 minutes and cost 1,130 won. We do not take a subway train, as trains to and from Imjingak station run occasionally (twice or a few times) each day, from what I heard.

You will pass by lots of farms, and rural areas. The bus ride is particularly friendly, and will look more like a minivan than a conventional, large bus. Seems that most of the people are elderly, and the driver and passengers know each other well.

Detailed Naver map here: http://me2.do/xHqN3BJK

#3 Arrive at Imjingak station and buy a tour pass.

Here, you will need to buy a tour pass and follow an official tour bus. You cannot go alone into the DMZ. Tour prices here are much cheaper and cost around 10,000 won (if I remember) and are priced depending on where you go and the respective attractions. It will take roughly 2.5 — 3 hours

#4 Tour the DMZ.

Follow the tour, take some pictures, and appreciate the surrounding scenery. Some photos here:

Train station to Pyongyang, but never opens

In theory, you could travel from South Korea to London by train.

Some outposts.

Notwithstanding the conflict, the scenery is beautiful.

Frozen lake. Probably the remnants of some former bridge.

#5 Get back to Seoul.

Just folllow the directions in reverse order, back to Seoul.

Summary

Total cost

2 * (2,050 + 1,130) won + 10,000 won = 16,360 won

Total time

1 1/4 hour + 3/4 hour = 2 hours for one-way trip

2.5 hours for guided tour

All in: 2 * 2 + 2.5 = 6.5 hours

And so here’s how you can trip to DMZ by your own, for under 20,000 won.